About project

Legal aspects. The use of unmanned surface vehicles in oil spill response operations is still a relatively new field. To support the later phases of the project, DIGIMARIS includes an assessment of the legal aspects related to the use of unmanned surface vehicles in the coastal waters of Finland. The report, prepared by Åbo Akademi University doctoral researcher and Deputy Judge Jouni Honkala together with Professor of Maritime Law Henrik Ringbom, examines the relevant Finnish legislation and regulatory framework.

Extensive testing. Project partner South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) coordinates and implements a series of technology and equipment tests together with the project consortium at the oil spill response test basin in Kotka, operated by Xamk. Safely isolated from the surrounding environment, the facility enables testing with real oil products under controlled conditions.

Procurement. In Finland, project partner Kymenlaakso Rescue Department will acquire both an unmanned ground vehicle and an unmanned surface vessel as part of coastal and shoreline oil spill response operations. In Estonia, the Estonian State Fleet will procure and test an unmanned surface vessel, focusing primarily on applications in the open sea environment.